Report Highlights Diversity and Inclusion as a Core Component of Sodexo Business Growth Strategy

February 06, 2017

Commitment to D&I allows Sodexo to attract the best talent, spark innovation, and provide the best solutions to its clients and customers

GAITHERSBURG, Md., February 6, 2017 - Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, formally announced its 2016 Global Diversity & Inclusion Report today. Detailing Sodexo’s commitment, strategy, priorities and achievements, the report calls out a strong business case for Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) – particularly on a global stage – where D&I can offer a tremendous competitive advantage.

Based on the results of its 2016 employee survey, D&I remains one of the top two drivers of engagement for Sodexo globally. In North America, diversity was identified as one of the top engagement drivers for employees in the past two engagement surveys (2014 and 2016), at 81 percent for all employees and 87 percent for Sodexo managers. The company’s integrated strategies and resources prepare its leaders to embrace and foster an inclusive culture by enhancing their cultural agility.

“The statistics related to any one of these areas of commitment can be compelling for companies looking to tap an increasingly diverse workforce that yields high-performing talent,” said Dr. Rohini Anand, senior vice president, corporate responsibility and global chief diversity officer, Sodexo. “By 2020 millennials will comprise half of the global talent pool and in the U.S. more than 44 percent of them belong to a minority group. One out of seven people in the world has a disability and in the U.S., growth among Black, Asian and Hispanic populations will increase by 56, 142 and 146 percent respectively.”

Since its inception, Sodexo has been a people-centered organization. As the 19th largest employer, its teams worldwide provide Quality of Life services to 75 million consumers daily. The company’s 420,000 employees operate in 80 countries and hail from more than 100 different cultural backgrounds. That puts diversity and inclusion at the heart of Sodexo’s business strategy and its brand promise. It boasts a corporate culture that allows the company to respect and understand the many diverse markets wherever it operates around the globe.

The report also calls out findings from current Sodexo research, which demonstrated that gender balanced teams—those with 40 –60 percent women in management—had higher key performance indicators results than other teams. Specifically, such teams were more engaged (four points higher global engagement rate over non-balanced teams); had higher brand awareness (five points higher); had better client retention (12 percent increase); and had more positive profit and growth over three consecutive years.

Sodexo continues to receive recognition for its efforts, earning a top ranking on the DiversityInc 2016 Top 50 Companies for Diversity, marking its eighth consecutive year being recognized as a top 10 company. It ranked in the Top 10 of two categories in the Global Diversity List, a first assessment of individuals and companies with outstanding commitment to diversity nominated by readers of The Economist and it ranked #9 on 2015 Workplace Pride Global Benchmark.

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.